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Monday, August 16, 1999

Schools starts new year in black

PECOS, Aug. 16, 1999 -- Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD is looking at a budget
in the black for the beginning of the new school year and six new computers
have been added to the server at Pecos High School.

The good news was part of the discussion at last Thursday's Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD board meeting.

P-B-T ISD superintendent Don Love told board members that right now
the school district has everything that they need. "We feel really good
about this, there's $187,000 access in the budget," said Love.

He said getting the district in the black came from close budgeting
and cooperation from all departments.

Resale of property struck off at previous tax sales will go back on
the board for sale and can be purchased any time throughout the year.

"We were asked by the city council if we could go back and receive bids
for foreclosed property anytime, instead of waiting for the one-time sale,"
said tax-assessor collector Lydia Prieto, who serves as tax-assessor collector
for the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, and for the Town of Pecos City and Reeves
County Hospital.

Tax attorney Rusty McInturff told the board that putting the property
back on the tax roll is the biggest benefit for all the entities.

"The one-time sale was never intended to replace sealed bids, which
can be taken at any time," said McInturff. "We don't reject any bids because
they're too low."

If somebody comes forward with money in their hands, "We'll take the
bid to all taxing entities and see if it's accepted by all of them," said
McInturff. "Then we can put it back on the tax roll."

Prieto agreed that she would take the bids to the hospital and city,
but would first go to the school board with it.

"I'll get with the county and work something out with them," said McInturff.

New hires for the district included Mary Ann Box, Bachelors Administration/East
Texas State University, 11 years experience, assignment: Zavala Middle
School computer applications teacher;

Bunton returns to court to accept verdict

Sitting in for visiting Judge Ginger Berrigan of New Orleans, La., Judge
Bunton charged the jury and accepted the guilty verdict on a marijuana
possession charge against Alfred John Kiep.

Kiep was arrested March 30 at the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol checkpoint
after agents found 134.29 kilograms of marijuana in his motor home.

Agent Genardo Lopez testified that he ran his drug-sniffing dog around
the motor home and he indicated at the bay doors that contraband was present.

When he opened the doors, Gomez said he could smell fresh glue and lifted
the carpet to find what looked like a "little trap door."

Unable to pry the door open, Gomez said he opened the bay door on the
driver's side and pulled up the carpet to find another cut board.

"It was a little flimsy on that side, so we decided to take a hand drill
and drill a hole in it," Gomez said. "When we pulled the drill bit, we
noticed the bit was covered with a green leafy substance that looked and
smelled like marijuana."

After opening the trap door, agents found brick-like bundles all inside,
he said.

Gross weight of the bundles was 295.44 pounds. Valued at $800 per pound,
the street value would be $235,352, Gomez said.

Kiep was traveling by himself and carried only a small duffel bag with
several days of clothing, Gomez said. He told agents he was on his way
to Sacramento, Calif., for a family reunion but turned around at Phoenix,
Ariz. because of a ding in his windshield.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Miller of Alpine prosecuted for the government,
and Sib Abraham of El Paso represented Kiep.

Judge Bunton set sentencing for Oct. 12.

Judge Berrigan enjoyed her week of jury trials in Pecos and plans to
return in November, Judge Bunton said. He took the jury verdict for her
because she had to catch an afternoon flight home.

Community Council to discuss contract

A contract with West Texas Utilities will be considered and acted on at
the regular Community Council of Reeves County board meeting, scheduled
for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Pyote Community Center.

Also on the agenda is an EMP contract and information on the Texas-New
Mexico Power Co.'s weatherization program conference in Austin, and board
members will discuss the executive director's conference (personnel and
board of directors' roles in the agency).

Under old business, board members will discuss WTU Program, copy of
contract will be provided); Nelson-Brown Equities, Inc. (copy of letter
received); client complaint/grievance procedure (input on implementation)
and client assistance information accessibility (input on implementation).

The board will also consider various actions towards filling vacancies
for representatives in Loving County (public sector), Ward County (participant
sector) and Winkler County (private sector).

AUSTIN (AP) — Results of the Texas Million drawing Friday night: Winning
numbers drawn: 1-10-26-91. Number matching four of four in Group One: one.
Prize: $1 million. Winning ticket sold in Dallas. Number matching four
of four in Group Two: none. Number matching four of four in Group Three:
none. Number matching three of four in any group: 465. Prize: $300.